Volume 6, Number 4 A LOCALLY OWNED NEWSPAPER February 21 March 6, 1997

WINGS Program

Receives Top

Five National

Ranking for

Youth Programs

The Franklin County Public Li-
brary based WINGS Program was
ranked as one of the top five na-
tional youth program by the
Young Adult Library Services As-
sociation (YALSA).
The local youth program was pre-
viously selected as one of the fifty
top winners by YALSA. On Feb-
ruary 5, Interim Director Linda
Waddle with YALSA corresponded
with Franklin County Public Li-
brary Director Eileen Annie to in-
form her that the WINGS Program
was now selected as one of the top
five programs.
"Your winning program is a clear
indication that you are dedicated
to providing exemplary library
service to young adults," noted
Ms. Waddle in her February 5 let-
ter of'correspondence to Eileen
' 'Annie
The top five programs, in alpha-
betical order, included:
*Dunbar Pulaski Middle School:
Gary, Ind. "Partners in Reading"
*Franklin County Public Library:
Eastpoint, FL "WINGS"
*Lee County Library System:
Estero, FL "Science and Inven-
tion Connection"
*New York Public Library:
Chatham Square Regional
Branch "School Hour Programs
for Visually Impaired Young
Adults"
*New York Public Library: Andrew
Heiskill Library for the Blind and
Physically Handicapped "Don't
'Dis' Ability Special Needs Out-
reach"

Roumelis

Selected as

City Grant

Consultant
The Apalachicola City Commis-
sion listened to proposals from
two potential grant consultants at
the board's February 13 special
meeting. The selected grant con-
sultant will be utilized by the city
to work on a Community Devel-
opment Block Grant. The consult-
ants applying for the city job in-
cluded Debbie Roumelis and
Julian Webb.
Mayor Pro Tem Jack Frye re-
quested that one of the prospec-
tive consultants wait outside of
the meeting room while the other
gave his/her presentation to the
board. Ms. Roumelis made the
first presentation. Leon County
resident Ms. Roumelis said that
she initially became interested in
the city's grant prospects when
she spoke with Willoughby
Continued on page 10

For being ranked as one of the top -1
five youth programs, the Frank- Competition. The contest was to
lin County Public Library will re- recognize the best programs serv-
ceive a $500 award on June 29 ingyoung adults between the ages
at the America Library of 12 and 18. Each of the top five
Association's Annual Conference programs will be awarded $500.
in San Francisco. The remaining 45 programs will
each receive $100. All 50 pro-
YALSA, a division of the Ameri- grams will be featured in the sec-
can Library Association, had pre- ond edition of Excellence in Li-
viously selected 50 libraries as brary Service to Young Adults
winners of the Excellence in Li- (ALA Editions, Spring 1997) ed-
brary Service to Young Adults ited by Mary K. Chelton.

Miller Crowned District

Spelling Champ

Apalachicola High School student
Amanda Miller competed against
nine other local students in the
Franklin County School District
Spelling Bee on February 18 and
emerged as the district winner by
cArrectly spelling the word,
"Tributary."
The final two contestants in the
district spelling bee were
Carrabelle High School student
Deven Cruson and Amanda
Miller; the two struggled through
nearly twenty words before
Amanda Miller eveAtually
emerged victorious.
Other participants in the Frank-
lin County School District Spell-
ing Bee Included Dana Starkel

Second Circuit Judge William
Gary ruled in favor of Franklin
County Tax Collector James
A. Harris on February 19 and
ordered Provident Medical Corpo-
ration to pay $219,382 for Ad Va-
lorem taxes and $19,156 for per-
sonal property taxes. Judge Gary
further ruled that Provident Medi-
cal Corporation will pay a 10 per-
cent annual interest rate on the
sum owed to the county.
"The court shall exercise continu-
ing jurisdiction over this matter
for the purpose of considering
costs and Attorney's fees, and
over the Defendant's pending
counterclaim," noted Gary in his
February 19 ruling.
In other related case rulings,
Judge Gary granted the
defendant's moon to consolidate'
on the taxation and rent cases.
The defendant's motion to con-
tinue was denied. The defendant's
motion to withdraw as counsel
(Attorney J. Patrick Floyd) was
granted. Attorney Baara Sand-
ers and Attorneys James F.
Heckin, Jr. and Leza S. Tallam of
the firm Lowndes, Drosdick,
Doster, Kantor and Reed had al-
ready entered their appearances
on behalf of the defendant, Judge
Gary noted.

Erin Butler
Selected as a
U.S. Senate
Youth Delegate

Erin Joanna Butler from
Eastpoint has been selected as a
delegate to the 35th Anniversary
United States Senate Youth Pro-
gram-dedicated to inspiring fu-
ture leaders. She is one of two stu-
dents from Florida to participate
in the program.
She will be among 104 top stu-
dents from all 50 states and the
District of Columbia who spend a
week-March 1 through 8-in the
nation's capital. She will see Con-
gress in action and visit the White
House, Supreme Court, State De-
partment, Library of Congress
and Pentagon. Witnessing the na-
tional government first hand, Erin
will have many opportunities to
hear and talk with its leaders.
And each student will receive a
$2,000 college scholarship.
The U.S. Senate Youth Program
is now in its 35th year, enacted
in 1962 by Senate Resolution 324
to bring two students from each
state, the District of Columbia and
the Department of Defense De-
pendents Schools Overseas, to
Washington for a week of inten-
sive study of the government. Stu-
dents must be involved in their
student government to qualify,
and are selected by their chief
state school officer.
Senators Kay Bailey Hutchison
(R/Texas) and Ron Wyden (D/
Oregon) are the 1997 Co-chairs,
who with eight other senators
serve on the program's advisory
committee, including Senators
Christopher Bond (R/Missouri),
Richard G. Lugar (R/lndiana),
Rick Santorum (R/Pennsylvania),
Olympia J. Snowe (R/Maine),
John B. Breaux (D/Louisiana),
Kent Conrad (D/North Dakota),
Christopher J. Dodd (D/Con-
necticut), and Patty Murray (D/
Washington).
The program is administered and
funded by the William Randolph
Hearst Foundation. No public
funds are involved.
Men and women officers from all
branches of the military services
escort the students during their
entire stay in Washington.

State Makes Small Land
SAcquisition Near Carrabelle

Van

Johnson

Takes Over

on Animal

Control

By Rene Topping
SFranklin Cournty Humane Society
members felt quite happy when
they heard that Van Johnson who
is supervisor at the county land-
fill was taking over on animal con-
trol. They had wondered who
would take over after Sheriff
Bruce Varnes said he could not
handle animal control in addition
to all his other varied duties.
Varnes said that in the first few
days much of his time was taken
listening to people complaining
about animals.
Johnson said, "I am taking this
as a challenge and I am sure we
will be able to do a goodjob." This
task is not the first difficult one
Johnson had undertaken in the
past. The problem of what to do
about the scallop waste
was handled smoothly by his
department.
Humane Society President Phyllis
Fullmer said, "I don't think they
could have made a better choice.
Van has always been most help-
ful to the Society. And he really
cares about animals." She re-
membered that Van had taken
one stray and made it his
mascot.
Gayle Dodds was also pleased as
she reported that Johnson had
been chosen" He has always been
really good to us and most help-
ful. I think the Animal Control will
be in good hands."
Johnson said that. although he
is going to have to start taking
responsibility on March 1, he has
already decided that he will prob-
ably use two of his men and send
them off for training. To be an
animal control officer a person
has to get certification by state
law, and he has already checked
and found out the next course will
be given in April.

Partnership
Buys Into
Resort Village

The St. George Island Partners
have purchased two hotel sites in
the Phase 1 segment of the St.
George Island Resort Village.
The Partner's general partner is
John H. Phipps Ventures, Inc.
which is owned by John Phipps
and Dennis Boyle; these
individuals have a home in the
Bluffs, a small development by Dr.
ben Johnson near the Resort
Vilalge. The sale of the hotel sites
was closed on February 14, 1997.

Coastal Petroleum
has underwater
leases stretching
for 425 miles, from
Apalachicola to
Naples. The leases
start about seven
miles offshore.

Resort

Village

Meetings

Changed

The Franklin County Commission
meeting originally scheduled for
Monday, February 24, 1997 at the
Court House, Franklin County,
dealing with a review of the Dept.
of Community Affairs (DCA)-Ben
Johnson settlement has been
changed.
The new meeting date is Tuesday,
March 4, 1997 at 1 p.m. following
the regular County Commission
meeting.
In Tallahassee, the Governor and
Cabinet were scheduled to review
the status of the Resort Village,
and DCA and Franklin County
decisions regarding the land-use
changes to the 1997 St. George
Development Order (DO) on
Tuesday, February 25th. That
review has been postponed to the
following Governor and Cabinet
meeting on Tuesday, March 11,
1997.

All parties requested the changes
because of perceived "progress" in
separate negotiations involving
Dr. Ben Johnson, the DCA and St.
George Plantation Owner's Asso-
ciation.

Environmentalist groups were
gloating over a recent court deci-
sion which, in effect, says that
Coastal Petroleum must advertise
the Department of Environmen-
tal Protection's (DEP) plans to is-
sue an oil-drilling permit to the
Apalachicola-based firm, and ad-
vise the public about a new round
of public hearings on the DEP
plan to issue to permit.
Last year, the state of Florida,
through DEP, announced that it
was ready to issue a drilling per-
mit to Coastal Petroleum (CP) to
drill for oil about ten miles off of
St. George Island. Coastal Petro-
leum has held a lease for oil ex-
ploration on an underwater track
from Apalachicola south to the
Naples area for many years. The
DEP decision in 1996 followed
years of litigation and administra-
tive hearings concerning the oil
firm's leases and their rights to
drill for oil off-shore.
The complex and lengthy chronol-
ogy of the confrontations between
CP and the State of Florida, in-
volving DEP and the Governor
and Cabinet, was published in the
Chronicle in the October 4, 1996
issue. A Florida Supreme Court
decision last July left DEP no al-
ternative but to issue the drilling
permit. The appeal on the require-
ment for public notice by CP was
taken last year by the oil firm and
the decision was issued on Feb-
ruary 11, 1997. Phil Ware, man-
ager of CP, told the Chronicle that
the recent decision would not
have much bearing on CP's right
to drill for oil since that was not
at issue in its lost appeal. He told
the Chronicle that the decision
delays matters for the oil firm. but
it "allows the Sierra Club and
other interested groups to partici-
pate in a public hearing."
Thus, the state's authority to re-
quire the public notice has been
affirmed. If there are public pro-
tests, an administrative hearing
will follow and DEP will have to
defend its decision before an ad-
ministrative officer. His recom-
mendation will be made and for-
warded to the DEP, which may
accept or reject it, and the DEP
Order may be appealed to the
First District Court. There are
three additional permits CP must
have before any drilling can take
place, and these permit applica-
tions are also subject to no-
tice provisions, and possible
challenge.

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Pane 2 21 February 1997 The Franklin Chronicle

A LOCALLY OWNED NEWSPAPER

Published every other Friday

Franklin

Briefs

Notes from the February 18
Franklin County
Commission Meeting
*Superintendent of Public Works
Prentice Crum informed board
members that work was in pro-
cess for the ball field at Vrooman
Park. He stated that Clarence
Hooks had brought in clay for the
new field. "All the ball players,
they love that red clay," said
Crum. He said that space was
being cleared for the proposed
pony league field in Apalachicola.
County Planner Alan Pierce said
that a backstop and fencing down
the first and third base lines
would be provided for the new
pony league field. "What we do in
the outfield at this time, I'm not
sure. If we have money, we'll fence
all the way around the outfield."
He said that, with pony league, a
six foot fence was required. "We
may or may not fence the entire
outfield," said Pierce. He contin-
ued, "My idea is, if you hit a ball
into the woods, you get a
homerun." Pierce said that Mr.
Hooks and he would survey the
fields to determine the needed
materials for the fields.
*Solid Waste Director Van
Johnson informed board mem-
bers that he had hired Gerald
Martina, Jr. for a position previ-
ously held by Adrian Winn.
*The board directed Solid Waste
Director Van Johnson to revise
the contract to collect solid waste
in commercial and residential ar-
eas located in unincorporated ar-
eas of the county. 'The rates and
the increases to the rates being
charged need to be regulated by
this board," said Johnson, "and
a more detailed procedure regard-
ing residents' complaints needs to
be added."
*The board agreed to expend
$3,007 for insurance purposes for
little league baseball in Eastpoint
and Apalachicola. "Insurance is a
good investment," said Solid
Waste Director Van Johnson. He
continued, "I realize that the
board would rather spend that
money on infrastructure, but we
can't even begin practice or play
without this insurance." He said
that the insurance was a require-
ment of the Dixie Youth Baseball
League.
*The board agreed to table a pro-
posed lease for Bob Clark in or-

Solid Waste

Department to

Take Over

Animal Control

Authority

The Franklin County Commission
agreed at their February 18 regu-
lar meeting to allow Solid Waste
Director Van Johnson to take over
the duties of Animal Control Au-
thority (ACA) from the Franklin
County Sheriffs Department.
Commissioner Jimmy Mosconis
said that he had spoken to Sher-
iff Bruce Varnes and Mr. Johnson
about the matter. "I ran it by Van
(Johnson) to see if he was
receptive...and he seemed pretty
excited about it," Mosconis noted.
He said that, if Mr. Johnson co-
ordinated the ACA, then the ACA
officer would work for the solid
waste department. "It would be
strictly up to Van's discretion,"
said Mosconis. He said that the
individual could be hsed part-
time at the solid waste depart-
ment and part-time as ACA
officer.
Commissioner Bevin Putnal com-
mented that the added position
would provide more help at the
solid waste department. "That's
why I was receptive to this," said
Johnson, "because I saw an op-
portunity to get some additional
personnel."
Commissioner Mosconis said
that, if Mr. Johnson coordinated
the ACA, then all guidelines and
needed training would have to be
managed by the solid waste direc-
tor. "We need to leave the preroga-
tives up to Van (Johnson) to prop-
erly advertise for that position and
get that person certified so they
can do the euthanasia," Mosconis
noted. He said that the money al-
located to the sheriffs department
would then be removed and given
to the solid waste department to
coordinate the program.
Sheriff Bruce Varnes informed

Carports-Trailers
Kennels-Screened Rooms

Wakulla

Portable Buildings

der to allow the Apalachicola Air-
port Advisory Committee the op-
portunity to review the contract.
County Engineer Joe Hamilton
informed board members that he
had recently obtained the lease
agreement from the county attor-
ney. "In our haste to get members
together," said Hamilton, "we did
not notify two of the members of
the' committee." He told board
members that the two members
not contacted felt as if they had
been "by-passed" from the advi-
sory committee's determination of
the lease.
Mr. Clark told board members
that he was disappointed with the
board's decision to table the mat-
ter. "We were in a position to sign
today," he said. Clark continued,
"I'm ready to build this hangar for
the county. I'm ready to pay taxes.
I had employees ready to go to
work. I was hoping to get things
done." Clark pointed out that he
had brought the issue before the
board 13 days prior.
*County Extension Agent Bill
Mahan informed the board that
*he had contacted several teach-
ers about the MathCounts pro-
gram. He said he was informed
that the 7th and 8th grade stu-
dents at Apalachicola High School
did compete in the competition
previously. "They discovered that
they just weren't competitive,"
said Mahan, "because they typi-
cally don't have advanced math
programs for 7th and 8th grad-
ers; so, when they get up to Tal-
lahassee, they just
get...slaughtered because the kids
up there already had algebra. And
up here, the most advanced stu-
dent would be in pre-algebra."
Mahan said that he did not know
whether Carrabelle High School

Sheriff Bruce Varnes
board members that animal con-
trol was very important for the
county. "It's bigger than what you
really think it is," said Varnes. He
continued, "if it wasn't that big, I
would have time to work with it."
Sheriff Varnes told commission-
ers that the program was affect-
ing his law enforcement duties. "It
does create a problem for me, be-
cause I have so many other prob-
lems throughout the county,"
Varnes noted, "but it is a much
needed organization and I really
am in support of it."
Commissioner Mosconis noted
that the position did not require
a badgedd or uniformed or deputy-
type person" to take the ACA of-
ficer position. "Animals are real
dear friends to man, as you well
know, and from time to time it
does require some law enforce-
ment assistance," said Mosconis.
Sheriff Varnes responded that,
much like the county building
inspector who requested assis-
tance from the sheriffs office in-
termittently, the ACA officer could
also utilize such support and as-
sistance. "If you run into a prob-
lem," said Varnes, "we'll back you
up as long as you've got a county
ordinance. That's the same way
with any county ordinance, be-
cause that's our job."

had participated in the event. He
said that he would continue to
look into the matter.
*County Extension Agent Bill
Mahan informed board members
that one of the students at
Apalachicola High School had
poured soap into the fish farm.
He said, however, that only one
fish was killed from the incident.
Mahan said that science instruc-
tor Polly Edmiston had removed
most of the fish and taken them
to the Research Reserve. Mahan
said that no such incident oc-
curred in the first year that the
fish farm was installed at the high
school. "Since only one fish died,
we found out that they could with-
stand some soap," he concluded.
*The board approved the follow-
ing recommendations from the
planning and zoning commission
or construction in the Critical
Shoreline District: A) The board
approved a request from John
Carpenter to construct a private
dock on Section 1, Township 7
South, Range 2 West on Alligator
Harbor. B) The board approved a
request from Mike Barber to con-
struct a private dock on Section
18, Township 7 South, Range 4
West on Carrabelle River. C) The
board approved a request from
Bill Bassett to construct a rip rap
revetment and fill on Lot 4 & 5,
Block 81, Unit 5 on St. George
Island.

to the county's standards. Mr.
Langston will continue to main-
tain the road in question.
Commissioner Bevin Putnal said
that he had received many com-
plaints concerning the noted
road. Putnal said that, according
to a member from the
homeowners association, many
residents were getting stuck on
the road. He said that an ambu-
lance would not be able to get to
an individual on that road in an
emergency situation.
Mr. Langston agreed to bring the
road up to the standard of an ad-
joining road if the county would
agree to accept the road. "I didn't
build the road," said Langston,
"I've maintained it ever since I
bought property out there." He
continued, "Nita went in there and
built the road and put clay on it.
Of course, when clay gets wet, it's
a mess."
The proposed subdivision, said
Langston, would provide the
county with $40,000 per year in
tax revenue. "For that, I know you
can buy educational services for
the children out there and grade
that one little piece of road that
you've got maybe once a month."
Langston said that he would agree
to provide the base material if the
county would haul the material.
."And, I don't mind spreading it,"
he said. 'This is a problem that
needs to be fixed," said Langston,
"andOr I'm certainlr wurillinra to workrr

*County Planner Alan Pierce in- with the county."
formed board members that two
land-use changes had been rec- Commissioner Mosconis stated
ommended recently by the county that the county was not in the
planning and zoning board. He "development business." Mr.
said, however, that no more land- Langston reiterated that he did
use changes could be reviewed not build the road in question.
after March 1, except for those "I'm not asking you to develop
relating to a DRI, until the anything," he said. "According to
county's next Evaluation and Ap- our zoning code and our subdivi-
praisal Report comes before the sion ordinance," responded
Department of Community Affairs 'Mosconis, "the developer does all
in April. The two items included: this and then the county takes
A) A request from Noel U. Hurst over and assumes responsibility."
to rezone Lots 1-5, Block 21 in Mosconis said that, if the county
Lanark Village from residential to ,provided labor on private roads,
commercial. B) A request from it would be in violation of its' own
Peter and Annah Richardson to "ordinance. "Then it needs to be
rezone Lot 4, Block 7 in Lanark changed," argued Langston. He
Village from Z-1 to C-2. assured the board that he would
not pave the road in question. "I'm
*County Planner Alan Pierce in- willing to go out there and stabi-
formed board members that the lize the road and y'all can take it
Governor & Cabinet had recently or don't take it. I don't care. That's
agreed to redraw boundaries in up to y'all."
Walton County for a Preservation
2000 land purchase. Pierce said *The board approved the follow-
that a similar purchase proposed ing land-use change requests
in Franklin County was denied' during a public hearing: 1) Two
The board agreed to send a letter tracts containing 22 acres in Sec-
to the Governor and Cabinet com, tion 22, Township 8 South, Range
plaining of the noted discrepancy:' 6 West, to be changed from mixed-
Suse residential to commercial zon-
*The board approved a sketch plat ing. 2) A tract containing 148.7
proposed by Gene Langston for a acres in Section 22, Township 8
19 unit subdivision lot layout lot South, Range 6 West, to be
cated north of the Lighthouse i r changed from mixed-use residen-
Estates on Beacon Ridge. The plat tial to conservation. 3) Three
was accepted contingent upon the tracts containing approximately
fulfillment of Langston's agree-'. 228.3 acres in Section 22, Town-
ment to bring a nearby road up hip 8 South; Range 6 West, to

puts us in violation." He informed
Sng l board members that he had re-
Sing ceived a complaint from a court-
g* m -' house employee who suffers from
Sm okingrespiratory problems and has an
allergy to cigarette smoke.
A rea to be Mr. Wade further informed board
members that none of the other
D e'eAt ^ courthouses in the area allowed
SDesign ed :individuals to smoke in their fa-
cilities. 'They all have to smoke
at County outside," he said. Wade suggested
J that the boiler room in the base-
Courthouse ment be designated as the only
Courthouallowable smoking area in the
'courthouse.
County Clerk Kendall Wade an- The boiler room would be the
nounced at the February 18 Fran- single designated smoking area in
klin County Commission meeting the courthouse as of March 1,
that the county was possibly in said Wade. He told commission-
violation of the Florida Clean Act ers that he would need to obtain
(Statute 368) by allowing indi- signs that indicated the new
viduals to smoke in areas of the smoking area. He further stated
courthouse with poor ventilation, that ash cans would be placed
outside of the courthouse
"At these ends out here," said for those who chose to smoke
Wade, "we don't have the proper outside.
ventilation and I think that's what

Water

Rates Rise

for House

Owners

By Rene Topping
About thirty-five Lanark Village
Sewer and Water (LVWSD) cus-
tomers faced off with the three
LVWSD board members over two
different matters. A contingent
from the house owners of the,,,
Lanark Beach, Gulf Wynn area ,
were complaining alout stiff'
jumps in the cost ofwater. Among
them were several who have
slapped a lawsuit on the three
-commissioners. So far the large
raises do not affect the apartment
dwellers, as at this time their wa-
, ter and sewer charges ,are a flat

rate of $40.00, with $18 for water
and $22 for sewer. After the
meters were installed the rate for
the house owners, outside the vil-
lage proper, went to a meter
charge of $18 plus $3 per 1,000
gallons for water in excess of the
minimum 4,000 gallons plus a
1.19 times the rate for on the
water for sewer use.
On the other issue of the rate hike
it seems at one point all the cus-
tomers were on the flat rate of
$40. Since metering has begun
house owning residents reported
that bills were now running into
over $100 per month. One lady
said that although she had the
same amount of people and the
same amount of showers her bill
went from $40.00 per month to
$141.00. Eddie Potts' rental
house in Gulf Terrace took a jump
from $40.00 to $148.00 although
now it seems possible that there
were some leaks inside the home.
Continued on page 7

be changed from mixed-use resi-
dential to residential. 4) A tract
containing 29.73 acres in Section
22, Township 8 South, Range 6
West, to be changed fro mixed-use
residential to residential. 5) A
tract containing approximately
110 acres in Sections 22 & 23,
Township South, Range 6 West,
,to be changed from mixed-use
residential to rural residential. 6)A
tract containing 320 acres in the
north half of Section 36, Town-
ship 6 South, Range 8 West, to
be changed from agriculture to
rural residential.
*The board tabled a request from
Bill Minton to rezone 7.2 acres of
land in Apalachicola from R-4
residential to C-2 commercial.
Adjoining property owner Jimmy
Newell said that he wanted to
know the proposed use for the
property in question before it was
rezoned. The board will again con-
sider Minton's request on March
18 at 10:15 a.m.
*The board granted two separate
zoning change requests made by
Buddy Fredricks and Melvin
Wright for property on St. George
Island from C-2 to C-4..
*The board unanimously agreed
not to direct County Attorney Al
Shuler to file exceptions to the
decision made by the DOAH Hear-
ing Officer that the 10th Amend-
ment of the DRI did not qualify
as a small scale amendment. "He
recommends that the administra-
tion commission rule, or the head
of the DCA, that it should have
been adopted as a full-scale
amendment to include drain
fields," said Shuler. "We took the
position that we could do it with-
out including drain fields because
that infrastructure and the other
infrastructure wasn't in there," he
said. Shuler informed board
members that the DOAH Hearing
Officer did not agree with the
county's assessment of the mat-
ter. Although Shuler recom-
mended filing the exception,
the board voted against the
recommendation.
*The board agreed to pay investi-
gative fees of $8,991.47 to a con-
ict attorney to defend Jay Cleve-
land Nix in a capital case. "It's a
court order and we have to pay
this," said County Clerk Kendall

Wade. "We've been in the neigh-
borhood of $60,000 in this one,
case that has been court ordered,"
he noted.
*At the request of resident Tina
Shiver, the board agreed to allo-
cate recreation funds to construct
a handicapped accessible dune
walkover on St. George Island.
Ms. Shiver informed board mem-
bers that she had requested the
development item on May 21,
1996. "It was approved and the
permits have been received," she
said. County Planner Alan Pierce
informed Shiver that the con-
struction would not begin until
after the chili cookoff.
*The board agreed to allow the
planning office to allocate funds
to purchase a vehicle for John
Sacks. County Planner Alan
Pierce said that the planning of-
fice had $50,000 to spend from
emergency management funds. "If
we don't spend it," he said, "it goes
back to the state." Pierce said that
the vehicle would either be
housed at the planning office or
the city airport.

A Report and Commentary by Tom Hoffer
Meeting on Saturday, February 15, 1997, the Board of Directors of
the St. George Plantation Owner's Association (POA) met in the club-
house taking up routine matters, tabling a few problems, and focus-
ing on POA regal matters.
The Treasurer, Richard Plessinger, reported that incoming dues for
1997 appeared to be "ahead of schedule" this year, with over $500,000
already received in a projected budget of $826,000. "We do not owe
anybody anything," he concluded; all of last year's obligations have
been paid. The subject of dues came up and the Board was informed
that in the past POA members had until the 31st of March to pay
their annual assessments (dues) and not be charged additional inter-
est. If dues are not paid by the 31st of March, 1.5% interest per month
is added to the member's bill.
An extended discussion about the pros and cons of dues assessments
for homeowners who shared an empty adjacent lot with a neighbor
was held. One house straddling two lots is billed as a home and an
extra lot. The matter was referred to the Covenant Committee with a
request from the Board to advise them as to their options.
The matter concerned with dune walkovers and several violations
was addressed in a second draft letter to be sent to respective
homeowners, all on the Gulf side, but a particular case involving com-
plaints about construction of walkovers was deferred until the par-
ties could be present.
The Legal Report presented by Dr. Tom Adams concerned three items.
The first was the report about the dismissal of the libel case brought
by Ben Johnson against President Bill Hartley and others by Judge
Gary on Wednesday, February 12th. Adams reported that there was
some spontaneous applause from the 15-20 persons present when
the Judge announced his decision. Adams thought that the applause
angered the Judge. The suit was dismissed with prejudice but Johnson
could still appeal.
The second litigation involved the POA lawsuit against the County,
regarding the land-use decision. Ben Johnson was intervenor in those
proceedings. The Department of Administrative Hearings Judge held
that the POA was correct in its arguments that the land-use amend-
ment was a large-scale amendment and not a small scale land-use
change. That recommended order by the administrative judge is to be
sent to the Florida Land and Water Adjudicatory Commission (Gover-
nor and Cabinet) for the rendering of a final order. There is still an
open window for all or any of the parties to file exceptions to that
order.
The last subject discussed by Dr. Adams was the POA activity in ne-
gotiations with Dr. Ben Johnson following a late January Governor
and Cabinet meeting involving the "return" of a DCA-Ben Johnson
proposed settlement of a lawsuit started by the Dept. of Community
Affairs when the County made a land-use Amendment to the 1977
St. George Island Development Order, involving some of the same
issues regarding the small scale and large scale Amendment to the
St. George Development Order (DO). The Governor and Cabinet wanted
to return the entire matter to Franklin County government for reso-
lution, but the Governor specifically directed DCA not to dismiss their
litigation until all parties returned to Tallahassee on February 25.
Apparently all parties have requested a postponement of that Febru-
ary 25 meeting since some progress in negotiations had been made,
according to spokespersons from various sides of the issue. Monday,
February 24, the County had scheduled a meeting to review the
Johnson-DCA settlement proposals and other matters.,
Both meetings, as of February 20th, have been postponed
until March. Please see the story on page 1.
Adams announced that "the issue clearly is density." Spokespersons
from the Ben Johnson "camp" agreed but also stated that the Planta-
tion (POA) was making additional "demands" which were complicat-
ing the negotiations.

The Chronicle has learned this point-of-view in the past, that the POA
would offer to narrow issues to get negotiations started, and then
switch emphasis, bringing negotiations to a stalemate.
Tom Hoffer asked two questions about legal expenses. Answers were
at first muddled and hesitant, but Mary Baird, the office manager,
spoke in response in clear, certain terms. For 1996, on a budget of
about $626,000, the legal expenses have totaled $147,000. During
the first two months of 1997, the legal expenses have totaled $49,000.
President Hartley responded with 'We have been meeting on these
legal matters practically every day."
Finally, a related issue concerning member access to POA records
was brought back from an earlier discussion. After the Florida Stat-
utes regarding member rights to copies of most association docu-
ments were read, a limited discussion of member access to those
records was made without any action taken by the board.

In recent days, the front office has received numerous requests for
budget information, lawyer fees and many documents regarding the
Association's legal matters. Instead of the Board reviewing its past
actions, which has given rise to the demands for more information
from the Board, the Board appears to be interested in limiting access
instead of reviewing their own actions which created the demands in
the first place. This is a common bureaucratic response. When pres-
sured, the Board might prefer to stifle complaints and close access
because of mistrust of the democratic process and their own limita-
tions in tolerating other points of view.

FRANKLIN COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY
CORDIALLY INVITES YOU TO
THE UNVEILING OF A COMMEMORATIVE PLAQUE
IN THE HONOR OF

FRED EBEL AND DON HOWARD
WHO DEDICATED TWO YEARS OF WEEKENDS IN
BUILDING THE SHELTER
WITHOUT THEIR UNSWERVING LOYALTY It COULD NOT HAVE BEEN DONE.
ALSO
A TREE PLANTING FOR FORMER PRESIDENTS
WHO GAVE OF THEIR TIME AND TALENTS TO
KEEP THE HUMANE SOCIETY ALIVE AND WELL
SINCE 1982
ANITA LAWHON
KRISTIN ANDERSON
RENE TOPPING
DR. STEVEN GROSS
JANE COX
PHYLLIS FULLMER
A SPECIAL PLANTING OF A LIVE OAK IN
HONOR OF BEN WATKINS WHOSE
GENEROSITY IS AS FAR REACHING AS THE
TREE WE PLANT--WHO WAS WITH US IN
THE BEGINNING AND STAYED WITH US
THROUGH THICK AND THEN AND STILL
GIVES US HELP IN SO MANY WAYS
THE CEREMONY WILL BE HELD AT THE
FRANKLIN COUNTY ANIMAL SHELTER
COMMENCING AT 11 A.M. ON
FEBRUARY 27TH, 1997
TO BE FOLLOWED BY A TREE PLANTING
AT 12:30 P.M. WE HAVE A DUTCH TREAT LUN-
CHEON
AT THE GIBSON HOTEL IN APALACHICOLA.
PLEASE RSVP BY FEBRUARY 24TH, REFERENCE.
THE LUNCHEON ONLY IN ORDER THAT WE ENSURE
SEATING OF ALL ATTENDING.

Back Issues
For current subscribers, back issues of the Chronicle are
available free, in single copies, if in stock, and a fee for
postage and handling. For example an 8 page issue would
cost $1.75 postpaid. To others back issues are priced at 350
each plus postage and handling. Please write directly to the
Chronicle for price quotes if you seek several different or
similar issues. If a single issue, merely add 350 to the price
quote above. In-county subscriptions are $16.96 including
tax. Out-of-county subscriptions are $22.26 including tax.
Changes in subscription addresses must be sent to the
Chronicle in writing.
All contents Copyright 1997
Franklin County Chronicle, Inc.

Featuring: Joyce Estes' Original Art & Gifts
SArt of the Area
S. We Deliver To The Greater Apalachicola Area
please visit Sea Oats Gallery on St. George Island!
01- (904) 670-8931
1-800-929-8931
Hwy 98, Eastpoint Just Across The Bridge

Marine
Fisheries
Commission MFC Takes

Action on
Mullet and Saltwater

Spiny Fisheries

Lobster Taciser

Rules

Approved

The Governor and Cabinet, on
January 28, 1997, approved the
following rules proposed by the
Marine Fisheries Commission:

Mullet Rule
This rule effective March 3, 1997:
- establishes the following as the
only allowable gear that may be
used to harvest mullet: cast nets
with a radius no greater than 12
feet/7 inches; beach or haul
seines; until January 1, 1999,
certain non-bottom fishing skim-
mer nets; hook and line gear, and
gigs (in no case shall any net used
be connected or exceed 500
square feet in total area, includ-
ing any attached material that
adds to the fishing surface of the
net, and no more than 2 nets may
be fished from a vessel at any
time)
- prohibits the simultaneous pos-
session of any species of mullet
in excess of the daily, recreational
bag limit (50 fish) and any gill or
entangling net, including on sepa-
rate vessels or vehicles operating
together
- eliminates the July through Sep-
tember 500 pounds commercial
daily vessel harvest limit for mul-
let
- eliminates the late December/
early January closure to the com-
mercial harvest of mullet
- changes (reduces) weekend com-
mercial mullet harvest closures to
begin at 4:00 p.m. on Fridays and
end at 8:00 a.m. on Mondays
- deletes obsolete mullet rule pro-
visions regarding the use of
gill and trammel nets and areal
restrictions

By Rene Topping
Garry Evans, Director of Engi-
neering and Barbara Bonwicz, of
Cable Vision came to Carrabelle
on Tuesday, February 11. and
they seemed to have their "Let's
make a deal" trading boots on.
Just a handful of people came to
offer complaints and requests for
service.
Of all the requests, it seemed that
the majority of those present
wanted ESPN 2 and the Sunshine
Channel. The meeting chaired by
Mayor Pro Tem Buz Putnal lasted
almost one and a half hours; the
commissioners sent the duo home
with at least a tentative agreement
for a contract that would last for
5 years with a five year extension
option, provided the cable com-
pany performed and kept their
promises.
Among the promises made by the
Cable Company representatives
Cable Vision will make ESPN2
and more sports channels avail-
able. Evans made no promise of
a date on which this would hap-
pen. Cable will be made available
to any resident within the corpo-
rate limits of Carrabelle without
additional charges; the franchise
fee, which is paid by the customer
and collected by the company on
behalf of the city, will rise from
one to five percent.
Commissioner James Phillips ar-
gued that the five percent fee
should be on the pay channels.
Evans said that he would have to

SAm UlS

The Marine Fisheries Commission
held a public meeting in Crystal
River February 3-5, 1997 and
took the following action:

Florida Keys National
Marine Sanctuary
The Commission received a report
and public comment on proposed
regulations for fishing in state
waters of Sanctuary Protection
Areas (SPA's) and the Sambos
Ecological Reserve (SER) specified
in the Florida Keys National Ma-
rine Sanctuary Plan. The Com-
mission voted to accept the pro-
tocol agreement in the Plan, and
directed staff to schedule a final
public hearing on April 11, 1997
in Key Largo on proposed rules
that would prohibit all fishing in
the SER and SPA's (except for
catch and release by trolling in
SPA's located in state waters), and
prohibit diving in the SER and
SPA's during the recreational 2-
day spiny lobster season.

Bay Scallops
The Commission received a sci-
entific report and public comment
regarding the bay scallop fishery,
and directed staff to schedule a
final public hearingApril 11, 1997
in Key Largo, if requested, on a
proposed rule that would con-
tinue the current bay scallop
management plan indefinitely,
and add the first 10 days of Sep-
tember to the July/August open
season in allowable harvest areas
beginning this year.
Shrimping
The Commission received scien-
tific and public comment on sev-
eral shrimping issues, and:
- directed staff to schedule a final
public hearing on a proposed rule
that would reopen live bait shrimp
harvesting in Pumpkin Hill Creek
in northeast Florida from July
through December each year
- reviewed turtle excluder device
requirements, net length mea-
surement issues, and proposed
rules to require the use of speci-
fied bycatch reduction devices in
otter trawls statewide
The Commission also intends to
consider a proposal to allow com-
mercial fishermen to harvest
shrimp with cast nets.

check with the company attorneys
about the matter. Phillips also
said he felt that the cable com-
pany should collect the franchise
fee on all connections that receive
the signal from the equipment
placed on the tower within
Carrabelle City limits.
Putnal commented that he
watched relatively few channels.
" I have surveyed my own cable
watching and out of the 29 chan-
nels offered I only watch seven.
The others-I don't watch them,"
he said. Putnal added that he
would like Sunshine and more
religious channels. Commissioner
Ginnie Sanborn said that she
would like to see them clean up
the signal on Fox and USA.
Resident Keith Mock said that he
had frequently had lines running
across the screen for channel 19.
However, he said the channel
would clear up a while after he
complained about the problem.
Mock said he saw the repairman
in the street one day and he had
him run a new line, "I think it was
because I had called so many cot-
ton picking times." Mock said.
Jim Phillips carefully went
through the contract step by step
as to the terms and conditions he
wanted changed in the up-com-
ing contract; he also obtained an
opinion from City Attorney Bill
Webster to determine whether it
was legal for the city to continue
negotiating. Webster advised him
that the com-
mission could have an informal
meeting,
Evans said that the cable com-
pany would conduct a survey of
all customers either by telephone
or using a survey form by mail.
The cable company asked the city
to draft all the proposed changes
with an eye to getting a contract
signed either in March or April.

Arraignments
Joseph A Beach: Charged with one count of Burglary of a Structure,
the defendant pleaded Not Guilty to the charge. Judge Gary contin-
ued the case for case management on March 10. The defendant was
represented by Assistant Public Defender Kevin Steiger.
According to the probable cause report, the defendant illegally en-
tered the residence of Alligator Point resident Valerie Travers on Janu-
ary 1. The defendant reportedly broke in through Ms. Travers' kitchen
window, entered her bedroom and then threatened to assault her
with a knife. Ms. Travers informed the authorities, however, that she
did not observe that the defendant possessed a knife at the time. The
defendant allegedly worked as a carpenter for Ms. Travers' landlord,
Mike Willenborg. Deputy Michael Eller responded to the disturbance
at approximately 1:43 a.m.
Wayne Becker: Charged with five counts of Cashing a Worthless Check
over $149, the defendant pleaded Not Guilty to the charges. Judge
Gary continued the case for case management on March 10. The de-
fendant was represented by Assistant Public Defender Kevin Steiger.
Bobby Joe Duncan: Charged with one count of Battery of a Law
Enforcement Officer, Burglary of a Structure, Third Degree Criminal
Mischief and Third Degree Grand Theft, the defendant pleaded Not
Guilty to the charge. Judge Gary continued the case for case man-
agement on March 10. The defendant was represented by Assistant
Public Defender Kevin Steiger.
According to the probable cause report, Sgt. Edward Smith and Of-
ficer Robert Hogan were alerted to a disturbance at the Franklin County
Jail by one of the inmates. The defendant was reportedly kicking the
cell door and screaming. When the officers responded to the situa-
tion, the defendant allegedly punched Sgt. Smith. According to the
report, the defendant was then sprayed with pepper spray (OC-10) in
order to be restrained.
Warren Hayward, mI: Charged with one count of Aggravated Battery,
the defendant pleaded Not Guilty to the charge. Judge Gary contin-
ued the case for case management on March 10. The defendant was
represented by Assistant Public Defender Kevin Steiger.
According to the probable cause report, the defendant attacked
Apalachicola resident Bobby Martin with a stick on September 16,
1996. According to the report, the defendant informed Martin that he
owed him $5. He threatened to hit Martin if he did not return the
noted money. When Mr. Martin responded that he did not owe the
defendant any money, the defendant allegedly struck him in the left
jaw breaking both plates of his dentures. Mr. Martin was later treated
at Emerald Coast Hospital for his injury.
William R. Nowling: Charged with one count of a Lewd and Lascivi-
ous Act in the Presence of a Child, the defendant pleaded Not Guilty
to the charge. Judge Gary continued the case for case management
on March 10. The defendant was represented by Assistant Public
Defender Kevin Steiger.
According to the probable cause report, the defendant performed a
lewd act on a 12 year old girl from Apalachicola on January 19. Ac-
cording to the report, the defendant placed his hand down the girl's
shirt at her home. He then allegedly questioned whether the girl was
a virgin. When the girl responded affirmatively, he allegedly offered to
take her fishing. According to the report, the defendant informed the
girl, "then you won't be a virgin anymore."
Fred Reynolds: Charged with one count of Dealing in Stolen Prop-
erty, the defendant pleaded Not Guilty to the charge. Judge Gary
continued the case for case management on April 14. The defendant
was represented by Assistant Public Defender Kevin Steiger.
According to the probable cause report, Carrabelle resident D.J. Hall
informed Officer Fred Jetton that someone had stolen his lawn mower
on November 5, 1996. He further told Jetton that, on the day his
mower was stolen, the defendant was working with a lawn mower on
an adjacent home. Resident Timothy Saunders informed Carrabelle
Police Chief Jessie Smith that he had purchased a lawn mower from
the defendant for $50. Resident Graham Cunningham informed of-
ficers that the lawn mower that was sold to Mr. Saunders was identi-
cal to his stolen lawn mower.
Jeff A. Savage: Charged with one count of Sexual Act with a Child
Under 16 Years of Age, the defendant pleaded Not Guilty to the charge.
Judge Gary continued the case for case management on April 14.
The defendant was represented by Assistant Public Defender Kevin
Steiger.
According to the probable cause report, the defendant sexually as-
saulted a 15 year old Apalachicola girl on January 20. According to
the report, the defendant and two of his friends were drinking alcohol
with the victim and two of her girlfriends on the noted evening. The
defendant allegedly left the home where the three girls were staying
and later returned alone. The defendant then allegedly got into bed
with two of the girls and sexually assaulted one of the girls.
Michael Forrest Shuler: Charged with one count of Aggravated Bat-
tery, the defendant pleaded Not Guilty to the charge. Judge Gary
continued the case for case management on March 10. The defen-
dant was represented by Assistant Public Defender Kevin Steiger.
According to the probable cause report, the defendant struck Al Shuler,
Jr. in the head and pushed him through a window at his home on
January 22. The incident caused lacerations to Mr. Shuler's head.
The defendant later turned himself in to the authorities. The defen-
dant claimed that he was first attacked by Al Shuler, Jr.
Sherri Hutchins: Charged with one count of Third Degree Grand
Theft, the defendant pleaded Not Guilty to the charge. Judge Gary
continued the case to March 13 for a trial. The defendant was repre-
sented by Assistant Public Defender Kevin Steiger.
Jerry Kent: Charged with one count of Aggravated Battery, the de-
fendant pleaded No Contest to the lesser charge of Battery. Judge
Gary adjudicated the defendant Guilty and sentenced the defendant
to time served. The defendant was also ordered to pay $155 in court
costs. The defendant was represented by Attorney J. Gordon Shuler.
Bobby Martin: Charged with one count of Aggravated Assault with a
Firearm and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, the defen-
dant pleaded Not Guilty to the charges. Judge Gary continued the
case for case management on March 10. 1
William Hatch Walker: Charged with one count of Burglary of a Dwell-
ing, the defendant pleaded Not Guilty to the charge. Judge Gary con-
tinued the case for case management on March 10. The defendant
was represented by Assistant Public Defender Kevin Steiger.
According to the probable cause report, the defendant entered the
residence of Darrell and Lynn Edgecomb on December 23. Mr.
Edgecomb reported that he was awakened by the sound of the
defendant's voice at approximately 1:00 a.m. on the noted evening.
Mr. Edgecomb then allegedly struck the defendant in the head and
knocked him temporarily unconscious; his wife then went to contact
the authorities. According to the report, the defendant later awoke,
got back up and was struck again by Mr. Edgecomb. The defendant
allegedly went through a window as a result of the second blow. Deputy
Carl Whaley and Officer Jonathan Riley arrived at the Edgecomb resi-
dence and arrested the defendant; the officers observed several lac-
erations on the face and forehead of the defendant.
Sonya McKinney: Charged with one count of Resisting Arrest With
Violence and Battery, the defendant pleaded No County to the lesser
charges of Resisting Arrest Without Violence and Battery. Judge Gary
adjudicated the defendant Guilty and sentenced her to one year of
county probation. Judge Gary also ordered the defendant to pay $155
for court costs. As a condition of probation, the defendant will be
required to complete the PAVE (Providing Alternatives to Violence
through Education) Program and 25 hours of community service. The
defendant was represented by Assistant Public Defender Kevin Steiger.

Pre-trials
Charles Alexander: Charged with one count of Petit Theft, Uttering a
Forged Check, Third Degree Grand Theft and Violation of Probation,
the defendant pleaded No Contest to the lesser charge of Uttering a
Forged Check. The defendant also entered an admission to Violation
of Probation. Judge Gary adjudicated the defendant Guilty and sen-
tenced him to 150 days in the Franklin County Jail with credit for 95
days of time served. Judge Gary also sentenced the defendant to 18
months of probation and ordered him to pay $255 for court costs and
$300 to the Red Rabbit Foodlane for restitution. The defendant was
represented by Attorney Gordon Shuler.
Thomas Arroyo: Charged with one count of Third Degree Grand Theft,
the defendant pleaded Not Guilty to the charge. Judge Gary contin-
ued the case for case management on March 10. Assistant State At-
torney Ron Flury announced that the State would file to habitualize
the defendant under the Habitual Felony Offender's act if the defen-
dant did not enter a plea of guilty at the February 10 hearing. The
defendant was represented by Assistant Public Defender Kevin Steiger.
Vickie Ann Carnes: Charged with one count of Uttering a Forged
Check, Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon, First Degree Ar-
son, Resisting Arrest with Violence and Violation of Probation, the
defendant pleaded Not Guilty to the charges. Judge Gary continued
the case for case management on March 10. The defendant was rep-
resented by Assistant Public Defender Kevin Steiger.
Fred Dean: Charged with one count of Burglary of a Structure and
Possession of Alcohol by a Person Under 21 Years of Age, the defen-
dant pleaded No Contest as charged. Judge Gary sentenced the de-
fendant to four months in the Franklin County Jail with credit for 73
days of time served. In addition, Judge Gary sentenced the defendant
to two years of probation and ordered him to pay $255 for court costs.
The defendant was represented by Assistant Public Defender Kevin
Steiger.
Bill.Miller, IV: Charged with one count of Burglary of a Structure
and Third Degree Grand Theft, the defendant pleaded Not Guilty to
the charges. Judge Gary continued the case for trial on April 17. The
defendant was represented by Attorney J. Gordon Shuler.
Patrick Pearson: Charged with one count of First Degree Arson, the
defendant pleaded Not Guilty to the charge. Judge Gary continued
the case for case management on April 14. The defendant was repre-
sented by Assistant Public Defender Kevin Steiger.
Elex Pugh: Charged with one count of Burglary of a-Conveyance, the
defendant pleaded Not Guilty to the charge. Judge Gary continued
the case for a trial on Mprch 13. The defendant was represented by
Assistant Public Defender Kevin Steiger.
Robert Thompson, Jr.: Charged with one count of Possession of a
Controlled Substance, the defendant pleaded Not Guilty to the charge.
Judge Gary continued the case for case management on April 14.
The defendant was represented by Assistant Public Defender Kevin
Steiger.
Anthony Weaver: Charged with two counts of Violation of Injunction
for Protection and one count of Domestic Violence and Escape, the
defendant pleaded Not Guilty to the charge. Judge Gary continued
the case for case management on March 10. The defendant was rep-
resented by Attorney Gordon Shuler.
Maurice Williams: Charged with one count of Possession of a Con-
trolled Substance, Sale of a Controlled Substance and Violation of
Probation, the defendant pleaded No Contest to the charge and en-
tered an admission to the probation violation. Judge Gary adjudi-
cated the defendant Guilty and sentenced him to 6 months in the
Franklin County Jail with credit for 76 days of time served. Judge
Gary also sentenced the defendant to two years of community control
and ordered him to pay $255 for court costs. The defendant was rep-
resented by Assistant Public Defender Kevin Steiger.
James Yon: Charged with one count of Resisting Arrest With Vio-
lence and Possession of Cocaine, the defendant pleaded Not Guilty to
the charges. Judge Gary continued the case for case management on
March 10. The defendant requested that the court appoint Attorney
Gordon Shuler as new counsel in his case. Judge Gary denied the
request and informed the defendant that his present counsel was
competent. The defendant was represented by Assistant Public De-
fender Kevin Steiger.
Randy Peshoff: Charged with one count of Sexual Battery, the
defendant's counsel entered a plea on Not Guilty on behalf of the
defendant. Judge Gary continued the case for case management on
March 10. The defendant was represented by Attorney Alfred Shuler.

Violations Of Probation (VOP)
Billy James Beverly: Charged with VOP, the defendant entered an
admission to the probation violation. Judge Gary sentenced the de-
fendant to one year in the Franklin County Jail with credit for 84
days of time served. Judge Gary also sentenced the defendant to four
years of probation. The defendant was represented by Assistant Pub-
lic Defender Kevin Steiger.
Dwayne Braswell: Charged with VOP, the defendant entered a denial
to the charge. Judge Gary continued the case for case management
on March 10. The defendant was represented by Attorney Barbara
Sanders.

C. ,.

it's accurate or inaccurate or
whether they know it's false or not
false."
"Whether it's prevarication, inter-
pretation or just imagination,
some things refuse to die," said
Lee. He questioned board mem-
bers, "does anybody here believe
that we ever failed to write an ad-
vertisement for the City of
Apalachicola and that it, in fact,
cost y'all a grant?"
Mr. Lee said that, in order to bring
closure to the issue, he wanted
to know whether any of the board
members really believed that the
Apalachicola Times cost the city
its' grant funding. "The fact of the
matter is...that didn't happen,
folks. We made a mistake on a
grant, but people for the State
Continued on page 5

AUCTION STARTS AT 11:00 AM
MEMBER INTERNATIONAL CHILI SOCIETY
AUCTION DONATIONS -
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT ANY LOCAL BUSINESS

S15th ANNUAL

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L

Howard Enfinger: Charged with VOP, the defendant pleaded Not
Guilty to the charge and entered a denial to the probation violation.
Judge Gary continued the case for a hearing on April 14. The defen-
dant was represented by Assistant Public Defender Kevin Steiger.
Doritha Jones: Charged with VOP, the defendant failed to appear for
her court date. Judge Gary issued a capias for arrest for the defen-
dant for failing to appear at her court appointment.
Larry D. Joseph: Charged with VOP, the defendant entered a denial
to the charge. Judge Gary continued the case for case management
on March 10. The defendant was represented by Assistant Public
Defender Kevin Steiger.
James Murray: Charged with VOP, the defendant entered a denial to
the charge. Judge Gary continued the case for a VOP hearing on
March 10. The defendant was represented by Assistant Public De-
fender Kevin Steiger.
Dermaine Odoms: Charged with VOP, the defendant entered an ad-
mission to the charge. Judge Gary sentenced the defendant to 60
days in the Franklin County Jail with credit for 25 days of time served.
Judge Gary also sentenced the defendant to 18 months of probation.
The defendant was represented by Assistant Public Defender Kevin
Steiger.
Alan Ray: Charged with VOP, the defendant entered an admission to
the charge. Judge Gary sentenced the defendant to 11 months in the
Franklin County Jail with 45 days of credit for time served. Judge
Gary also ordered the defendant to pay $272 in restitution and $584
in court costs. The defendant was represented by Attorney J. Gordon
Shuler.
Freddie Williams: Charged with VOP, the defendant entered a denial
to the charge. Judge Gary continued the case for a VOP hearing on
March 10. The defendant was represented by Assistant Public De-
fender Kevin Steiger.

Restitution Hearings
Robert Burkett: Judge Gary ordered the defendant to pay $3,884.63
to Donna Kist in payments of no less than $260 per month. The de-
fendant was represented by Assistant Public Defender Kevin Steiger.
William Danford: Judge Gary ordered the defendant to pay $250 to
Dr. Harry Mixon and $250 to Kathryn Tucker in payments of no less
than $25 per month. The defendant was represented by Attorney
Barbara Sanders.
Twoyne Croom: Judge Gary ordered the defendant to pay $558.75
to Walter M. Ward in payments of no less than $50 per month. The
defendant was represented by Assistant Public Defender Kevin Steiger.

Apalachir.ola

Times

Manager

Retorts

Apalachicola Times Manager
John Lee questioned the
Apalachicola City Commission
during a February 13 special
meeting about their recent deci-
sion to advertise in another news-
paper for a grant consultant.
Mr. Lee pointed out that only two
individuals had responded to the
advisement that was placed in the
Tallahassee Democrat. "If you
look at the applicants that you
had tonight," said Lee, "we would
have gotten you more (applicants)
than the Tallahassee Democrat.
Is everybody aware of that?" He
said that one of the grant appli-
cants had a subscription to the
Apalachicola Times.
Mr. Lee also responded to an as-
sertion made by Mayor Bobby
Howell during a January 28 spe-
cial meeting that the Apalachicola
Times had probably cost the City
of Apalachicola grant funding due
to a misprinted advertisement.
"I want to bring a little closure to
this grant application fiasco that
refuses to die," said Lee. He con-
tinued, "some things won't die,
because there's always gonna be
someone who will repeat whether

Published every other Friday

A LOCALLY OWNED NEWSPAPER

The Franklin Chronicle 21 February 1997 Page 5

Franklin Gives Enthusiastic Reception to Tallahassee Boy's Choir

With a program of varied music,.'
the swinging Tallahassee Boys'&
Choir brought a capacity crowd.
to their feet more than once dur-
ing their February 16, 1997 con-
cert at historic Trinity Church,
SApalachicola. The choir, under the
', direction of Earle Lee, Jr. per,-
Sformed several numbers, danced:
a few while singing, presented fea-
tured soloists, and stimulated lots
of hand clapping-to the music,
and as a result of the music-in'
one of the Ilse Newell Fund for the'
Performing Arts concerts in its'
Eleventh Season.
A shorter concert was presented '
at 2:45 p.m. for parents, students'
and local teachers. The main
event began at 4 p.m. and lasted.
slightly over one hour. With a,;
novel entrance and exit, all timed
to music, the 60-voice choir.
strode into the auditorium and
after the program, left with the
hearts of most listeners as they ,
were heard raving and applaud-,
ing the presentation.
One number, sung by soloist
Kevin Smith was "Rough Cross-
ing," a figurative piece about black c
Struggles and progress, brought.
forth a stunning and positive re-
sponse from the audience. For a):
time, many seemed astonished at,
the professional demeanor and
discipline exhibited by the youth-
ful singers, along with the quality,
of the performance.

The group has taken many tours
throughout the region and the
eastern seaboard of the United
States.
Their rise to fame has occurred
in a relatively short time, having
been founded as the Tallahassee
.Boys' Choir in August 1995 at the
Florida State University of Social
Work, an outreach program for
'young men, ages 12-18. Their
mission, said the program, was to
:promote habits, attitudes and
values consistent with the physi-
cal, mental and social well-being
df its members. This was obvious
more than once as the young men
clearly enjoyed their entertain-
ment arid played well with each
other during the modified ges-
tures and dances. Their credo is
to foster academic excellence,
,build character and self-esteem,
'develop interpersonal skills, real-
ize positive potential and acquire
skills forthe future. The listeners
;who sto6d to applaud the young
Smen did not need anyconvincing
that these goals had been met on
a sunny Sunday afternoon, at
Trinity.
The next concert will be on March
16, 1997 featuring Rex and Cleo
Holladay Partington, their daugh-
ter, Dixie, and son Tony-all es-
tablished performers-in a pro-
gram of theater and music en-
itled "...merely players." The Con-
:qerts begin at 4 p.m.

said, 'that didn't cost the City ofe
Apalachicola a grant."
"We know that those things can,
happen," Lee continued, "and
when they do happen or if they
happen, we have ways to get
around that to help the city or an
agency out. So, they're not gonna
just cost you a grant because I
made a mistake or my staff made
a mistake. That's built into it. But
this thing does keep coming up "
Mr. Lee said that he was proud ofI
the work rendered by The
Apalachicola Times. He informed
board members that he has
worked at the said newspaper for
20 years. Lee pointed out that the

Times employed eight full-time
employees. "So, any time we lose
business, whether it's large or
small, it affects our staff and the
job that we can do;" he stressed,
"and we've got a building that I'm
gonna have to pay for, folks;"
Concluding his presentation, Lee
again stressed, "I want this thing
to die the natural death, because
we made a mistake but it didn't
cost y'all anything. And if it did,
of course, we'd be awfully embar-
rassed about it."
Following the meeting, Mr. Lee
spoke with Commissioner Wallace
Hill about the matter. "The fact of
the matter is," Lee said, "that it

was a poorly, improperly, incom-
plete written grant that cost the
city the funding." Mr. Hill re-
sponded that he was not respon-
sible for those remarks made by
Mayor Bobby Howell during a
public meeting. "And after he
(Mayor Howell) said it," Lee re-
sponded, "it was a 5-0 vote (to
advertise in the Tallahassee
Democrat)." He continued, "the
best way to bring closure is to call
a spade a spade and bring it out
and let's go with it. I'm sorry that
we didn't have a 5-0 quorum to-
night." Mayor Bobby Howell was
not in attendance at the Febru-
ary 13 special meeting.

An Independently Owned and Operated Member of The Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc.

nt

b

More

Auction

Items

Needed
While the inventory for the "big
tent" auction at the March 1, 1997
Charity Chili Cookoff is still build-
ing, more auction items are still
needed for the "big tent" auction
to be held throughout the day.
Organizers need time to identify
and list the nearly 200 items on
bid sheets and associated admin-
istrative mechanisms, so an early
response to this call would not
only help the Cookoff from a do-
nation standpoint, but help the
Cookoff in getting the items on the
bid list in a timely fashion. In the
past, organizers have been
swamped with last-minute dona-
tions, creating a bit of a log-jam
in the administrative dept. Please
contact Lee Edmiston (927-2538)
or Jay Abbott (927-2406) about
your donations.
The current list contains numer-
ous and attractive bid items in-
cluding flights over Apalachicola
Bay, dinners at various area res-
taurants, overnight stays or
longer at area hotels, motels; elec-
tronic equipment, boats, etc.
The range of food from numerous
vendors is rich and wide includ-
ing Nell Spratt's Chicken and
Dumplings, the Dominic Italian
chili, hot dogs, seafood of various
species and other gastronomic
delights! All area clergy have been
asked to serve as weather watch-
ers and communicators to ensure
a small breezy but sunny day de-
signed to facilitate the raising of
fun-filled spending for St. George
and area fire protection needs-
the object of the Charity Chili
Cookoff. Remember, if you are
coming from a distance, a mere
suggestion of rain outside of Fran-
klin County does not mean bad
weather on the island. The
weather has a habit of changing
rapidly and potential storm
clouds have often been swept
away by mid-morning. Most ac-
tivities come equipped with large
tents, chairs, etc.

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MOBILE HOMES FOR SALE
Need Trade-ins. Your home
does not have to be paid off.
1-800-265-1247.

Many of Franklin County's young,
scientific minds had an opportu-
nity to participate in the various
science fairs hosted by Brown El-
ementary School, Chapman El-
ementary School, Carrabelle High
School and Apalachicola High
School from January 30 to Feb-
ruary 12.
Once again, in the name of sci-
ence, the students determined
one of the many scientific prob-
lems floating about, gathered in-
formation, created a procedure,
formed a complex hypothesis and
set forth in their conclusion to
prove that hypothesis.
Included below are the student
winners from the elementary and
high school Science Fair compe-
titions:
BROWN ELEMENTARY
SCHOOL

Sixth Grade
First Place: Ryan Beavers,
"What are the Weakest Soils and
How can We Reinforce Them?'
Second Place: Jarrett Elliott,
"Which Insulation is Most
Effective?"
Third Place: Jenny Edmiston,
"How Do Different Types of
Plants Responds to Acid Rain?"
Honorable Mention: Krystal
Shuler, "Is Salt Water a Bright
Idea?," Luke Stanley, "Insula-

Second Place Winner
Basa Deskins

HYPOTHESIS

tion," Kara Watkins, "Does All
the Air Burn?" and Meghann
Gunter, "Water Evaporation"
The Chapman Elementary School
hosted their Science Fair on
January 30. The event was coor-
dinated by instructor Cathy
Creamer.

Chapman Elementary
School's Top Three
Sixth Grade Winners:
Second Place Winner
Jarrett Elliot (L) and
Third Place Winner
Jenny Edmiston R).
First Place Winner
RyanBeavers was
unavailable at the
time of this photo
opportunity.

SSelling the Pearl of the Panhandle
., My Specialty area is Carrabelle Lanark -
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Being a Community Bank, like GSB, requires a commitment to those
customers it serves. A commitment to meeting their needs and being
involved with the community initiatives.

Isn't it fortunate that a Community Bank in your county is committed
enough to offer continuous personal service while adding the flexibility
and convenience of modern banking?

Q. Who would you really want to bank with? A bank
that offers what they want you to have or a bank that
creates accounts and services to meet customer's needs?

A. You be the Judge! When you think about it, we will be
looking for you to come see us!

Sarah Allison reported that her
bill was up from the $40.00 to
$58.00. Similar raises have been
felt by all customers on meters.
Commissioners claim that the
bills are reasonable and at one
moment Lawlor said that even
"$190.00 per month would be
reasonable."
A lawsuit was filed January 10
against the district by two cus-
tomers who live in homes on U.S.
98, Burl C. Harrison and Jack
Henderson. The attorney Smiley
told the board that the suit filed
by 2 plaintiffs on the high rates
had been opened to involve more
plaintiffs. Jack Henderson, one of
the named plaintiffs, said that
there will be 41 names and more
unnamed persons added on the
suit.
An entirely different problem
arose when representatives from
the St. James/Lanark Village Vol-
unteer Fire Department
(SJLVVFD) requested permission
to put a training trailer on land
the department leases from the
L.V.W.S.D. The trailer which the
Fire Department had obtained at
no cost would permit the
SJLVVFD to put a smoke bomb
into the completely closed build-
ing and send men in with breath-
ing devices as a part of training
needed to follow State regulations.
Strong criticism erupted from a
group who live within the confines
of the Village itself. As remarks
were hurled back and forth be-
tween villagers and Fireman Gary
Mallois, chairman Jim Lawlor
called repeatedly for order and
even threatened to close down the
meeting at one point.
In a survey made by the Chronicle
on nearby water rates; City of
Carrabelle has a basic rate on
residential of 12.00 which in-

cludes 3.000 gallons of water.
Each additional 1,000 will cost
$2.00. Sewer has a base rate of
$13.00 plus $1.29 for every 1,000
gallons of water used.
Eastpoint has a basic rate on resi-
derntial of $14.40 for first 2,000
gallons. After that each 1,000 gal-
Tons costs $1.30, sewer is charged
on a flat rate of $12.40.
Alligator Point Water District
charges by the 100 gallons. They
have a basic charge of $7.50. The
first 5000 gallons is charged at 0.8
per 100 gallons, the second 5,000
is charged at a rate of 0.10 per
hundred, 0.12 per hundred for
the next 9,000 gallons. They have
a flat rate for first time hook up of
$800.
On the matter of the training
trailer the three board members
voted to approve with the condi-
tions that insurance is in place;
that the trailer can legally be
placed there under the zoning
regulations; that it only be used
for smoke training purposes; be
securely locked at all times when
not in use and not become a det-
riment to the community. The
commissioners also agreed to in-
spect the site planned after the
meeting.
In other business: Commissioner
Jeanette Pedder, going over items
in the yearly audit of finances,
explained the three problems that
can call for a district to have a fi-
nancial emergency. One is debt
service not being paid: Second,
payroll taxes, salaries, workers
comp and retirement not being
paid and the third is a budget
deficit. On the first two, Ms.
Pedder said that the district was
not in arrears on debt service and
that all payroll matters were be-
Continued on page 10

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EAST END Beautiful bayfront, wooded building site with wonderful sunset
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S 9

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ga

Page 8 21 February 1997 The Franklin Chronicle

A LOCALLY OWNED NEWSPAPER

Published every other Friday

More Coaches Requested for

Apalachicola High School

Resident Mark Elliott appeared
before the Franklin County School
Board on February 6 to request
that additional coaches be ob-
tained for Apalachicola High
School.
Mr. Elliott informed board mem-
bers that the high school had one
varsity and one junior varsity
coach. "We've got one coach do-
ing two jobs," Elliott exclaimed,
"and it's very difficult." He further
requested that coaches be re-
cruited from within the school
system. "Why do we have to go
and get people who are not em-
ployed by the school system?"
Chairperson Will Kendrick said
that he had spoken with Mr.
Elliott and Superintendent
Brenda Galloway about the mat-
ter. "I'm sure there's a medium we
can get to," noted Kendrick. He
suggested that Mr. Elliott meet
with Superintendent Galloway to
further discuss the matter.
Board member Jimmy Gander
noted that, if the matter did not
need to come before the school
board, Mr. Elliott would have al-
ready met with the superinten-
dent and the school's principal to
resolve the issue.
Board member Willie Speed felt
that the matter should be resolved
with the school's principal. "I do
not want to get involved in those
kinds of things." Mr. Speed said
that, from his approximately 100
hours of in-service training for
school board members, he under-
stood that such matters were bet-
ter resolved within the schools.
"One of the things that they em-
phasize for school board members
not to do," said Speed, "and that's
to get involved in the operations
of the schools. Let that be the re-
sponsibility of the superinten-
dent. That's not the school board's
area." He continued, "the school
board sets policy on how it should
be done and then the superinten-
dent takes it from there."
Mr. Elliott requested that the
school board set a policy on the
issue of providing more coaches
to the noted high school. Super-
intendent Galloway agreed to
meet with Mr, Elliott to discuss
the matter.
In other board business:
*Resident Sherman Thomas ques-
tioned whether the board had
looked into any of his previous
concerns.
Mr. Gander informed Thomas that
he had looked into a previously
voiced concern that ith Wil;g
tiles at Apalachicola High School
were allegedly hanging ajar from
the ceiling. Gander stated that the
tiles were all in place when he last
entered the noted high school.
Mr. Thomas questioned board
members whether they had con-

sidered an air quality test for the
school's classrooms.
Mr. Speed stated that such mat-
ters were not the responsibility of
the school board. "We can go out
there...but if we walk into a
school, we have no authority. You
have as much authority there as
we have."
"We as interested people in this
community need to get active if
we're gonna care for our children,"
said Thomas, "because time is
running out."
Board member Connie Roehr en-
couraged Mr. Thomas to be more
positive in his criticism of the
school system rather than "over
powering and negative." Mr.
Speed responded that those is-
sues addressed by Mr. Thomas
weie important concerns to that
individual. "Something to you
(Ms. Roehr) might be nit-picking,
but to someone else it might be
an important issue."
Superintendent Galloway encour-
aged Mr. Thomas to meet with her
in order to address his concerns.
*Teresa Jones and Elinor Mount-
Simmons from the Franklin
County Teachers Union com-
mended the collaborative effort
from the school district to make
the constitutional amendment
drive such a success.
Ms. Jones stated that 49.48 per-
cent of the residents who voted
locally agreed to sign the petition
to seek more funding for educa-
tion. 'That's more than any can-
didate got...except maybe Ms.
Galloway," said Jones. She said
that Franklin County had the sec-
ond highest success rate during
the amendment drive. Jones said
that only Wakulla County had
greater success.
Ms. Mount-Simmons said that the
amendment drive's success came
from a "broad-base coalition." She
continued, "it's not just a teach-
ers' concern..It's a human con-
cern. This is about everybody."
*Superintendent Galloway an-
nounced that the local school dis-
trict had received a $10,000 grant
for a collaborative partnership
planning project to screen pre-
school students. She also stated
that the district had received a
$100,000 Break The Mold Grant
to help improve student academic
performance.
*The board unanimously voted to
sign an interagency agreement
with the WINGS Program.
-The board unanimously agreed
to adopt a resolution of recogni-.
tion of the Philaco Women's Club
ofApalachicola affirming that the
organization was seeking to re-
store the Chapman Elementary
School auditorium.

New VISTA's Linda Crosby (R) and Terrah Crum (L)

New VISTA's to Strengthen

Adult Reading Program

The Franklin County Adult Read-
ing Program (FCARP) will be able
to provide more service to resi-
dents throughout the county with
the addition of two new VISTA
(Volunteers in Service to America)
Workers in early February.
Eastpoint residents Terrah Crum
and Linda Crosby began their first
day of work with FCARP on Feb-
ruary 18. The new literacy.work-
ers received VISTA training in At-
lanta from February 10-13.
The two new literacy workers will
assume different roles with
FCARP. While Ms. Crum will work
with elementary students prima-
rily, Ms. Crosby will focus on the
provision of adult literacy service.
Ms. Crum, who expressed inter-
ested in becoming a teacher, will
work with kindergarten students
at Chapman Elementary School.
"This will kind of help me decide
whether I want to teach in the
future," said Crum. She stated
that, with her time and experience
with the community's youth
population, she will relate well to
the children. Hopefully, Ms. Crum
hoped to recruit young adults into
the reading program as volun-
teers.
Ms. Crosby said that her interest
in the recent impact on the sea-
food industry was one of the many
issues that inspired her to work
with the literacy program. "We've
got to work with the people on
their education," said Crosby,
"they're depending on the bay. It

might not always be there to pro-
vide for them...and we need to get
the people of our community in-
terested and prepared for the fu-
ture," said Crosby. She continued,
"you don't know what's gonna be
in the future here."
With her familiarity to the area,
Ms. Crosby felt that she would
have good success in recruiting
students and tutors into the read-
ing program. "I can't say that I
know it all, but I just want to
help," said Crosby. She contin-
ued, "I'm going to be learning with
them."
Literacy Director Bonnie Segree
said that both Crum and Crosby
would be terrific assets to the
adult reading program. "These
girls are gonna stay busy. They're
going to get it going." Ms. Segree
commented that both of the new
VISTA's were extremely outgoing
and came from large families.
"And that will be a big help with
us," she concluded.
The new VISTA's were hired
through a 5 county coalition grant
involving Franklin, Calhoun,
Washington, Liberty and Jeff-
erson Counties.

Kindergarten Students gather around John Gaulik as he plays his accordion

Children Warm Hearts of Seniors with Valentine

Carrabelle kindergarten students
from the classes of Ms. Sutton
and Dempsey visited the Senior
Citizen Center in Carrabelle on
February ... and entertained the,
seniors with a medley of Valen-
tines Day songs.
Prior to their musical perfor-
mance, the students presented
each of the seniors with a Valen-
tines Day card and a warm em-
brace. The students then began
their performance with a class-
room favorite entitled, "I Think
You're Wonderful." Continuing,
the children sang a variety of Val

Melodies

entines Day Songs which in-
c luded, "Valentines are Made to
Share," "Valentines Day" and "Val-
entines are Made for You."
SAs the students completed their
musical performance, one of the
senior residents decided that he
would share his musical talent
,I with the children. The students
gathered around resident John
Gaulik as he played his accordion
"i .d sang such tunes as "Let Me
Call You Sweetheart."

"This is an inter-generational
event between the children and
the seniors," said Acting Senior
Center Director Helen Schmidt.
She commended the children and
teachers for their excellent per-
formance and their continual abil-
ity to entertain the seniors.
Approximately 30 residents from
'the Apalachicola and Carrabelle
Senior Citizen Centers attended
the Valentines Day event.

excited about that and you should
be, too."
Ms. Bolding then questioned the
students as to why young adults
chose to drop out of school. Some
of the answers included "becom-
ing bored with school," pressuree
at home," "the parents don't care,"

Miss Florida

Urges Students

to Stay in

School

Miss Florida Jamie Bolding spoke
to students throughout Franklin
County on February 11 & 12 and
urged them to stay in school and
value their education.
During her visit to Carrabelle High
School, Ms. Bolding informed the
students that she had never vis-
ited Franklin County prior to Feb-
ruary 11. "But I've been having
an absolutely wonderful time here
in your county," she said.
Ms. Bolding then questioned
whether the students understood
the word, platform. One of the
students guessed that the word
meant "something that you stand
on." Bolding responded, "In this
case, I'm referring to something
that I stand for." She informed the
students that her platform was
drop-out prevention for high
school students. "Last year in this
country, we had 383,000 stu-
dents drop out of school before
they graduated from high school,"
said Bolding. She said that the

,-tate of Florida was believed to
have one of the highest drop-out
rates.
"That may seem like a very nega-
tive statistic," said Bolding, "but
here's where I get excited. You all
St'ti g in this room today are the
'next generation to go to high
school or some of you are our
leaders in high school." She urged
students to stay in school and to
..arge others to do likewise. "Then
'we're oiinna see those statistics
change drastically...and I'm very

Who to Call
Florida law requires insurance
companies to provide discounts,
credits or other reductions for
residential property insurance if
a homeowner has storm shutters
installed. Call the Department of
Insurance Consumer Assistance
Helpline at 1-800-342-2762 for
information.

The students were then asked to
put their hands on their heads.
Bolding asked the students what
they felt when they touched their
heads. Some of the answers in-
cluded "bones" and "weird" She
continued, "What's inside those
bones? Those bones are holding
something. What is it?" The stu-

"drug use" and "teenage preg dents, of course, resI
nancy." Bolding admitted that "brains." Bolding then cor
there were many reasons why stu- "what you have inside you
dents dropped out of school. "But the knowledge and wisdom
are any of them good reasons," thing in life that can n
she asked. The students uni- taken away from you."
formly responded, "No!" She con-
tinued, "not one of them comes
close to being a good reason."

mi

ponaea
included,
Ir head,
m, is one
ever be

.

Miss FL with Miss Franklin County Misty Hitt

Published every other Friday

A LOCALLY OWNED NEWSPAPER

The Franklin Chronicle 21 February 1997 Page 9

From Left to Right, Jackie Gay, Helen Schmidt, James
Bove, Roy Clark, Gary Mallios, Elaine Bartelt and Bonnie
Kerr. Nell Massey is in the center.

Checks Presented by

Happy Homemakers Club

The Happy Homemakers Club presented five checks to various orga-
nizations on February 12 at the Senior Citizens Center in Carrabelle.
President of the Happy Homemakers organization, Nell Massey, pre-
sented $100 checks to the Lanark Village & St. James Volunteer Fire
Department, Carrabelle Volunteer Fire Department, The Senior Citi-
zens Center and Hospice. Ms. Massey also presented a $50 check to
the Carrabelle Branch of the Franklin County Public Library.

Two satisfied customers at the Shrove Tuesday fundraiser.
Kristen Anderson with Jerry Weber

Pancake Dinner Proves to

Be Outstanding Fundraiser

The Shrove Tuesday Pancake Dinner at the Trinity Episcopal Church
on February 11 raised approximately $1,400. Event Coordinator Myra
Ponder said that the February 11 event was the most successful pan-
cake fundraiser ever. She commended Jimmie Nichols for his out-
standing marketing skills. Ms. Ponder estimated that there have been
15 previous Shrove Tuesday events. "This is our Mardi Gras," noted
Ms. Ponder. The event coincides with the Fat Tuesday celebration
held in New Orleans during Mardi Gras.

The Camp Gordon Johnston Association plans a Second Reunion
this March 7-9, 1997, in Carrabelle-Lanark. Many events are open to
the public, including, of course, the parade on Saturday morning,
March 8, 1997. Here is the itinerary thus far.
Friday, March 7th
9 a.m. until noon: Registration at Carrabelle Senior Center; pick up
name tags, reunion schedule, meal tickets, and maps.
12 noon until 1:30 p.m.: Opening luncheon at Senior Center. Welcome
by Association President Sidney Winchester followed by Keynote
speaker.
1:30 p.m. until 6:30 p.m.: Personal time. Meeting among individual
units.
6:30 p.m. until.... Welcome reception at American Legion Ballroom in
Lanark Village.
Dinner on your own!
Saturday, March 8th
8 a.m. until 9:30 a.m.: Breakfast buffet at Lanark Volunteer Fire Dept.
8:30 a.m. until 2 p.m.: Late registration at the Carrabelle Chamber of
Commerce Building next to the World's Smallest Police Station.
10:45 a.m. until 11:30 a.m.: Parade on Highway 98.
11:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m.: Lunch at local participating restaurants,
registration fee includes this meal, persons not registered can "pay
as they go" for their meals. Meal tickets are good AT PARTICIPATING
RESTAURANTS. ALL local restaurants are participants.
1:30 p.m. until 6 p.m.: (FREE TIME) Here are a few options:
Option 1. Boat trip to Dog Island (2 hour) minimum 6 per trip. $25.00
per person fee additional. You may pay at registration. River Nature
Tour, $25.00 (4 hour).
Option 2. Shopping trip to Apalachicola (no transportation available,
,use own vehicle).
Option 3. Golf at Lanark Golf Course located at Lanark Village, $55.00
per person. All day long. You may pay at time of play. 6 hole, par 3
course.
Option 4. CGJ Motor Tour. Departs from American Legion. $10 per
person fee additional. You may pay at registration (minimum 10 per-
sons).
6 p.m. until 7 p.m.: Social mixer at America Legion lounge (cash bar)
7p.m.: Banquet in American Legion Hall by American Legion Post 82.
8 p.m. until... Dancing and entertainment at American Legion Hall
Sunday, March 9th
8 a.m. until 11 a.m.: Buffet breakfast at Lanark Boat Club.
10:30 a.m. until 11 a.m.: CGJ Association meeting at Chillas Hall,
Lanark Village (near American Legion Post)
11 a.m. until 12 Noon: Critique of reunion, planning for 1998 Reunion
12 Noon until 1:30 p.m.: Lunch at area restaurants. Pay as you go.
1:30 p.m. until 4 p.m.: Separate meetings of various units at the Ameri-
can Legion and Chillas Hall. (PLEASE make location known at time of
registration and inform your unit as to the location and time.)
4 p.m. until 5 p.m.: Farewell BarBQue at American Legion Hall by
American Legion Post 82.
NOTE: Registration fee of $100.00 per person includes opening lun-
cheon, meal tickets, two drinks at welcome reception, two drinks at
social mixer, banquet,, and dance. Buffet breakfasts for both Satur-
day and Sunday as well as the Sunday BarBQue are also included. If,
you elect to not purchase the $100.00 registration package, you may
pay on an individual basis for each event provided the event is not
sold out. All four options listed on Saturday's events (Dog Island trip,
shopping trip, golf, and CGJ tour are NOT INCLUDED in registration
fee.) All boat trips register in advance by calling (904) 697-3246 or
697-2787.

1996 World's Champ

r

W.

Georgia Weller at an earlier Franklin County Cookoff, circa 1995.
She is now the winner in the 1996 World's Chill Championship.
Georgia's entry, "Southern Chill, Georgia Style" captured the taste
buds of the judges, and won her $25,000. She participated in the
30th Annual World's Championship Chill Cookoff last year, having
competed in the Franklin County regional competition staged as
the chill charity cookoff on St. George Island March 1996. She
and her husband Jim will be at the 1997 Charity Chill Cookoff
but not in the competition.

The 132nd Anniversary of the Battle of Natural Bridge will be cel-
ebrated on March 2, 1997 near Tallahassee. This will also be the
20th anniversary of the reenactment of the battle, celebrating Talla-
hassee as the only Confederate capital east of the Mississippi River
never to fall into Union control. On March 2, 1997, in Woodville, you
can watch a weekend of Civil War life in camp, weapon demonstra-
tions, Union and Confederate drills, and the reenacted battle itself.
This annual event is sponsored by the Florida Park Service, the Leon
Rifles and the United Daughters of the Confederacy.
To get there, drive 15 miles SE of Tallahassee, State Road 363
(Woodville Highway) to Natural Bridge Road, thence 6 miles to Natu-
ral Bridge Battlefield State Historic Site. For more info, please call
904-922-6007. Opening ceremonies begin at 1:30 p.m.

Volunteers Appreciated at

Public Library Event

Nearly 100 public library support-
ers made their way to the
Eastpoint Fire Station on Febru-
ary 9 for the First Annual Recog-
nition Tea for volunteers and
friends of the Franklin County
Public Library.
Those recognized at the event in-
cluded local business owners,
volunteers, public officials and
organizations. County Commis-
sioners Bevin Putnal and
Clarence Williams were two of the
local officials attending the event
that were recognized.
Franklin County Public Library
Director Eileen Annie commended
the effort of all those who worked
to make the public library such
an incredible asset to the county.
In recognition of the event, Ms.
Annie read a poem signifying the
importance of working for a cause.
Denise Butler, Chairperson for the
Franklin County Public Library's
Advisory Council, also read a
poem for the occasion. In her
poem about planting, Ms. Butler
stressed the importance of nur-
turing the growth of a foundation.
"What do we plant when we plant
the tree," Butler read, "a thousand
things that we all see." She en-
couraged those in attendance to,
as the seedling, "bloom" where
they were "planted."
Following her welcome, Ms. But-
ler presented volunteers of the
Franklin County Public Library
with a packet containing a memo
pad, book mark, packet of seed-
lings and a button affirming that
"Volunteers Make it Happen."
Those volunteers honored in-
cluded: Anne Lindsey, Alan &
Betty Roberts, Guy & Helen
Marsh, Mary Anne Shields, Lee

Roumelis, From
Page 1
Marshall about the matter.
Ms. Roumelis said that she had
worked on block grants since
1980. "I've seen a lot of projects
in Florida in the small commu-
nity cities program," she said.
Roumelis informed board mem-
bers that she had successfully
worked on small cities commer-
cial revitalization projects. "And
some of them have been on wa-
terfronts similar to Apalachicola,"
she said.
Roumelis informed board mem-
bers that she specialized in work-
ing with small cities. "I enjoy my
work very much," she continued
"It's something I take a lot of pride
in. I have a lot of people through-
out the state that I've worked with
and have spread the words about
my services, because I try to do
my very best." She added, "I don't
take on any more than I can com-
fortable handle. I don't get over-
loaded, so I can pay a lot of atten-
tion to my clients."
Ms. Roumelis suggested tat, in
addition to seeking funding for
commercial revitalization, the city
also fill out a housing application.
"It will visually improve the city
and It can be done city-wide now.
Another good thing about it is that
it's good for the local economy."
The housing grant, said Roumelis,
was for $600,000.
Julian Webb told board members
that, if they did not know him yet,
they would probably never know
him. "I've been in the region for
21 years as a CDBG consultant,"
he said. Webb continued, "I think
we've been reasonably competent
and reasonably honest." He said
that he was quite familiar with
Franklin County and also famil-
iar with the proposed grant
project.
"We'd like to do the project," said
Webb, "we think we can do the
project. We'll do what we can and
the best job that we can." He ex-
pected that at least 15 jurisdic-
tions would apply for the commer-
cial revitalization grant. Webb told
commissioners that competition
for the grant funding would be
intense. "There are probably ten
to twelve real good, competitive
and serious jurisdictions in the
State. They're gearing up.,.they
want this sucker and they want
it bad."
Volunteer Appreciation,
From Page 9

regular upkeep of the system.
"You've now started to spring
leaks at this time," said Belcher.
Mayor Pro Tem Jack Frye re-
quested that Belcher provide a
"quick fix" to keep the system
functional. Belcher said that the
system's liner needed to be re-
paired. He further informed com-
missioners that the interior latter
of the well had been corroded con-
siderably. "It's very dangerous to
go in and out of it," he said.

The board unanimously agreed to
select Debbie Roumelis at the
city's grant consultant at a Feb-
ruary 17 special meeting.
In other board business:
*Mayor Pro Tem Jack Frye com-
plained that City Attorney J.
Patrick Floyd had missed several
of the previous board meetings.
"I think that our city attorney
needs to be at some of these meet-
ings," said Frye, "I myself don't
want to make a decision up
here...and then we have a lawsuit
on our hands."
Frye continued, "Either he's
gonna be here or we're gonna have
to find someone else. If we're
gonna have a city attorney, I think
they should be here. If he's spread
out too far over the state or over
his county, then we need to do
something about it. If he can't
handle what we've got, then we
need to look elsewhere."
*James Waddell with Baskerville-
Donovan informed board mem-
bers that the city's water tank
needed repairs. Waddell said that
the tank had sprung several leaks
recently. "We're seeing a condition
that we've known about for a
couple of years get worse," said
Waddell.
Contractor Charles Belcher said
that the city's water tank was ex-
periencing internal problems. "A
water tank is like anything else,"
he said, "you've got to maintain
it." He pointed out that the tank
was constructed in 1964. "And,
through the years, it's had mini-
mum maintenance," said Belcher.
He said that such past mainte-
nance included washing the tank
out, monitoring the coating sys-
tem and inspecting whether cor-
rosion was affecting the system.
Belcher said that he became in-
volved in the status of the tank
during a 1993 inspection of the
facility. At that time, he suggested
that board members participate
with a maintenance program for

"You need to spend some on this,"
Belcher informed board members.
He said that he was appraised of
the city's long range goals to re-
furbish their system by the end
of the year. "I'm afraid you're
gonna be caught short on this
one, because this particular tank
is gonna need maintenance and
now," he said.
Mr. Frye requested that Belcher
first wash the system out and
then provide the city with an es-
timate for repairs. Belcher agreed
that he could pressure wash the
tank. "But you're not putting a
liner back to protect what I'm do-
ing," he said. Frye said that the
city could not afford to pay for the
services that Belcher wanted to
provide. "We're halfway into our
budget year. We've got to get by
as long as we can, until we get
this grant money that we're try-
ing to get to redo our water sys-
tem," said Frye.
Mr. Belcher agreed to pressure
wash the system and then report
back to the board with an esti-
mate to repair the tank. He in-
formed board members that he
would charge the city $1,600 to
move in and $1,200 per day of
work.
*The board appointed residents
Arthur Davis, Jimmie Nichols and
Mae Howze to the Community
Redevelopment Agency Commit-
tee. The newly appointed mem-
bers will replace Jane Cox, John
Croom and Bill Barnes on the
noted board.
*The board granted a request from
Mr. Rex Partington to amend con-
struction plans for the sidewalk
in front of his proposed renova-
tion project, The Dixie Theatre.
Mr. Partington agreed to extend
the sidewalk in front of the ad-
joining businesses. In addition, he
agreed to sign a hold harmless
agreement during the construc-
tion phase of the sidewalk.
Mr. Partington informed board
members that the sidewalk was
currently in the flood zone. "Our
architect had to make a lot of
changes in order to bring us up
to base flood level," he said.

...no matter where you are-
ours is a service you can trust.
KELLEY FUNERAL HOME
KELLEY-RILEY FUNERAL HOME
serving all of Franklin County
653-2208 697-3366

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FRANKLIN

CHRONICLE
The Chronicle is published every other Friday.
Mailed subscriptions within Franklin County
are $16.96 including taxes for one year, or 26
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ing paid on time. She said on the
budget deficit, the district has had
a deficit for the last five budgets.
She blamed in part "the legal fees
incurred to fight the people who
are fighting us and problems
caused from actions of previous
commissions."
Ms. Pedder announced that the
commission plans to make the
mobile home office more attrac-
tive with plantings from the
Sopchoppy Nursery. Even though
there had been complaints on the
starkness of the building, which
some residents called "ugly" the
effort to make it look better was
greeted with remarks such as "If
we are in debt why are we spend-
ing money on plants." In fact, one
resident accused the commission
of spending "like drunken sailors."
However some of the persons
Present said they felt the unpaid
commissioners were doing
the best they could, under the
circumstances.
In other business : The commis-
sioners accepted a low bid from
Moore Electric of Quincy in the
amount of $5,274.25 for low chlo-
rine alarms to be installed at the
water plant. The price includes all
installation. The other bid was for
$7,258.00. The bid time limit was
six months and the commission-
ers said they would delay the in-
stallations as long as they could
to ensure having the funding.
Field Manager and Commissioner
Greg Yancey reported that Big
Bend Technology will attend the
March meeting to report on the
survey they are presently con-
ducting in the village.
Motion was made to purchase 3
Blowers for a price of $1,800.00.
$3,150.00 had been allocated for
this project.
Commissioners took up the un-
finished business of setting rates
for turn-offs on water. It was sug-
gested that a charge of $20.00 be
made if the customer requests the
turn off and no charge if it is to
correct a district problem. It the
service has to be turned off for
non payment of bills, the charge
would be $250.00. The attorney
was asked to work up wording for
a change in the ordinance. Some
residents said that they felt that
a person should be allowed to
turnoff the water in case of freez-
ing weather provided that they
pay the basic rate bill on time.
Greg Yancey disagreed with the
other two commissioners Ms.
Pedder and Chairman Lawlor. It
was also suggested that when
meters are installed in the village
customers could have a cut off
valve installed at their own ex-
pense between the meter and the
apartments.

(104) New. Cancer. This
book is a gold-mine of cut-
ting-edge information and
an invaluable source for
health professionals, pa-
tients and their families.
Sold nationally for $13.00.
Paperback. 329 pp.
Bookshop price = $6.95.

(115) Home Fires: An
Intimate Portrait of
One Middle-Class
Family in Postwar
America. By Donald Katz.
Aaron Asher Books, a divi-
sion of Harper-Collins,
1992. Hardcover. 619 pp.
A power saga of the Gordon
Family- real people,
names changed. Their story
has the scope, depth,
wealth of incident, and
emotional intensity of a
great novel, illuminating
the interplay between pri-
Svate life and profound cul-
tural changes. Nationally
sold for $25.00. Bookshop
price = $15.95

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in Clifton Paisley "A superior.
very superior, example of lo-
cal or regional history...The
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and first rate" (Gilbert C.
S Apalacucola Fite, University of Georgia).
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Gadsden. Jackson,
A Jefferson and Madison. Uni-
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(21) New. University Of
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(105) Guide to Florida. A
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era. Reprinted by University

(106) Indian Traders of the
AST Southeastern Spanish
Borderlands by William S.
Coker and Thomas D.
Su Watson. Here is truly the
first rate history of the
.TO Panton, Leslie and Com-
a pany and John Forbes and
Co. (1783-1847), the "Sears
Sand Roebuck" on the
Florida and southeast fron-
(37) New. The Last Bus to tier. Based on historical
Albuquerque. By Lewis records and papers of these
Grizzard. Volume following early trading companies in
Grizzard's death in March the heart of northern
1994, consisting of about 60 Florida. No other work is
of his best columns, remem- definitive in describing the
brance from media pre-territorial history of
practicioners and photo- northern Florida prior to
graphs. 235 pp. Sold nation- 1820, including areas later
ally for $20.-0. Bookshop called Apalachicola, St.
price: $14.95. Hardcover. Marks, etc. To this day,
those as far north as Talla-
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